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3. Assembly or craft work: These programs often require you to invest hundreds of dollars in equipment or supplies. Or they require you to spend many hours producing goods for a company that has promised to buy them.
For example, you might have to buy a sewing or sign-making machine from company, or materials to make items like aprons, baby shoes or plastic signs. However, after you've purchased supplies or equipment and performed work, fraudulent promoters don't pay you. In fact, many consumers have had companies refuse to pay for their work because it didn't meet "quality standards."
Here's catch: In order to get out of paying workers, their work is NEVER deemed to be "up to standard,"--leaving workers with relatively expensive equipment and supplies and no income. To sell their products, these workers must find their own customers.
Legitimate work-at-home program sponsors should tell you - in writing what's involved in program they are selling. Here are some questions you might ask a promoter:
* What tasks will I have to perform? Ask program sponsor to list every facet of job. * Will I be paid a salary or will my pay be based on commission? * Who will pay me? * When will I get my first paycheck? * What is total cost of work-at-home program, including supplies, equipment and membership fees? What will I get for my money?
The answers to these questions may help you determine whether a work-at-home program is appropriate for your circumstances, and whether it is legitimate. To our knowledge, nearly all are scams!
You also might want to check out company with your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General and Better Business Bureau, not only where company is located, but also where you live. These organizations can tell you whether they have received complaints about work-at-home program that you're interested in.
But be wary: The absence of complaints doesn't necessarily mean company is legitimate. Unscrupulous companies may settle complaints, change their names or move to avoid detection.
If you have spent money and time on a work-at-home program and now believe program may not be legitimate, contact company and ask for a refund. Let company representatives know that you plan to notify authorities about your experience. If you can't resolve dispute with company, file a complaint with following organizations:
* The Attorney General's office in your state or state where company is located. The office will be able to tell you whether you're protected by any state law that may regulate work-at-home programs.
* Your local consumer protection offices. * Your local Better Business Bureau. * Your local postmaster. The U.S. Postal Service investigates fraudulent mail practices. The advertising manager of publication that ran ad. The manager may be interested to learn about problems you've had with company. In addition, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works for consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
Marketing Basics specializes in writing articles that teach, explain and define basic marketing techniques. http://marketingbasics.blogspot.com/
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